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Should Oakley pub plans be kilt?

Some Oakley Community Council members are questioning whether a Scottish pub with servers in "sexy plaid kilts" is appropriate for the area. The Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery is expected to be a tenant at Oakley Station.

Should Oakley pub plans be kilt?

Some Oakley Community Council members are questioning whether a Scottish pub with servers in "sexy plaid kilts" is appropriate for the area. The Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery is expected to be a tenant at Oakley Station.

Some Oakley Community Council members have expressed concerns about the Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery that is expected to be a tenant at Oakley Station. The servers dress in Scottish-themed attire. Although a building plan for the pub was approved in December, some are wondering whether the establishment is appropriate for the area.
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OAKLEY – The Oakley Community Council may be having second thoughts on its approval of a Scottish-themed pub.

In December, architectural designer Dave Evans presented a design plan for the Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery, which would be located in the Oakley Station development.

Council voted in favor of recommending approval of the building plan as proposed at the meeting.

Dave Schaff, board vice president of the Oakley Community Council, said since then some concerns have been expressed about the establishment.

"Questions have arisen as it pertains to the family-friendliness of Tilted Kilt," he said.

The establishment's website said it was "conceived to be a contemporary, Celtic-themed sports Pub staffed with beautiful servers in sexy plaid kilts and matching plaid bras."

Mark Rogers, owner of Habits Cafe and the 20th Century Theater, said he has questions regarding the role of the employees.

"Do they hire restaurant people or are they hiring entertainers?" he inquired.

Rogers said he is worried about the impact such an establishment will have. "I certainly don't think it is representative of the type of business we want to attract to Oakley," he said.

Board member and recording secretary Jeanne Savona said council rescinded its support of Tilted Kilt during a board meeting in December that occurred after the community council meeting. However, she said the city has already approved the development plan for the pub and "there was not to be any further action on our part."

"When we first gave approval it was billed as a sports bar," she said. "Digging a little bit, some on council found out that it was an entertainment venue."

Neither Schaff nor Savona served on the board at the time of the decision.

Board President Craig Rozen has taken a neutral stance on the matter.

"I welcome development in Oakley that supports the community," he said. "However, I don't think it's within my right to dictate my opinions on other individuals."

During the December Oakley Community Council meeting, Steve Dragon, a representative for developer Vandercar Holdings, Inc., said the Tilted Kilt has about 90 restaurants around the country and that this would be the first one in Cincinnati.

It will be located in Oakley Station near Vandercar Way. Oakley Station is a $120 million retail, commercial and residential development.

Dragon said it was expected to open in the third quarter of 2014.

However, during a recent Oakley Community Council meeting, Rob Smyjunas, chief executive officer and president with Vandercar, said the opening may be delayed. He did not specify why.

Schaff said at this point he would like to talk to the operator of the Tilted Kilt directly and get more information.